E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSSorry, but that $57 million you thought you won at the slots? Computer error.
That was the message that a casino in Bregenz, Austria, gave to Behar Merlaku, 26, after he got a really exciting return on a slot machine, the UK's Daily Mail reported.
Merlaku got only four of the slot machine's five required matches, but a winning bell went off and a flashing screen told him he had won the big jackpot on March 26, the Daily Mail said. But when the Swiss man tried to claim the prize, the casino operators blamed a software error and offered him $100 and a meal instead.
Now his lawyers say he's entitled to the huge prize and he plans to sue Casinos Austria AG; a court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10. The Daily Mail said it's thought that such a civil action would be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world and the case is being keenly watched by gaming operators.
His lawyers say that when he refused the casino's offer, he was banned from the establishment. They say that the company said the slot machine manufacturer was responsible and cited Austrian law that jackpots cannot normally be higher than two million euros, the Daily Mail reported.
Leave a Comment:
As an ex-reader, if the Daily Mail said it would be dark at Midnight, I would still get up & look out of the window. So wouldn't take this story on face value.
Think National Enquirer rather Than WSJ.
Excellent point. It gives tabloids a bad name.
Who knows if the Fifth light even work's on the machine? They have tightened slot machines so much now that you can't win a dime. You don't stand a chance of making a nickel. The time was not too long ago that you could really hit a jackpot, but not anymore.
I hope this gentlemen wins thru the courts.
I had an experience very similar to this, though the jackpot wasn't anywhere near what this one was. I was playing a quarter slot machine at a casino in Prior Lake, Minnesota -- kind of bored and just pushing the "max bet" button over and over again. Well, all of a sudden bells and whistles went off, lights were flashing and very, very loud music was coming from the machine playing "Your In The Money". People gathered wanting to see. The problem was that out of the five symbols I needed for the jackpot, the fifth one stuck half way, yet everything went off. The jackpot was $10,000 and I almost fainted thinking I had won. Nope! . . . that fifth symbol didn't come all the way up and I was given a gratuity consisting of a four-day, three-night stay in their hotel (meals included) and given a credit for 100 free plays on the same machines . . . I took it because I figured I didn't have much a chance taking on a multi-million-dollar casino . . . I guess rules are rules. Haven't had anything jump-start my heart quite like that since though. lol
I am sending positive energy toward a more productive outcome the next time(s) you play!
Casinos are a rip-off; you're example is just one of many, no doubt.
A woman Screams and moans continously for 10 minutes .Orgasm or not?
Same could be true of machine.
Software error my ***! This is just another way for organized crime to cheat you out of anything that would cost them money.
In my not so humble opinion: regardless the cause, short of customer cheating, if a machine says you won, it should be legally mandatory for the casino to pay. If this were the case, they'd keep up with the maintainance of the machines better.
Of course, this is just my opinion; I could be wrong.
I can't imagine being told that I won $50 million and then being offered $100 instead. That kind of emotional ride would be traumatic and the casino needs to pay something more adequate. I also believe, however, that if he did not roll all five then he needs to concede that there was an error and to not expect the full jackpot.
OK. Give him 4/5's
Offered him $100 and a meal and when he declined........threw him out!!?? Get a rope!
Slot machines are probably the best money makers for casinos. There is little skill required and payout to casino is predictable and guaranteed. The guy can not win in court. I remember a case where guy won $75K and casino accused him that he opened the machine and replaced a chip, he got zilch. This has have happened in age that winners sometime ended up with broken legs, if they were lucky. Casinos serve only to one purpose, enrich the owners and ruin lives. They do not create anything of value. They should be banned.
This article gave me an idea. Set up a casino where gambling is illegal. If anyone wins, tell them that it is illegal to gamble here so I don't have to pay you, but you can play again and see if I change my mind!!!!!!!
This casino rocks! Promise 57 million then offer 100 bucks. They must make billions on these suckers!
What a great idea! If you did that around here, it would work until a well-armed guy shot you to death right after you told him that, and the jury would probably let the guy walk.
If I were the casino, I'd offer him $57,000 to settle, then sue the manufacturer of the slot machine.
But that "no payouts for software error" rule seems very convenient for the casinos. I wonder how many software errors result in no payouts at all? I'm sure all the casinos just chalk that up to the players' "bad luck".
when i turned 21 i went to vegas and put $20 in a slot and it ate it in 45 secs i have never fed those bandits again why do people think they can win
Just goes to prove that gambling is for LOSERS!
Just got back from Las Vegas and wouldn't you know it every damn slot machine I played must have malfunctioned....I didn't get one big payout either...Guess it's time to contact my attorney, huh?
same exact thing has happened at blackhawk, colorado casinos three times over the past year. sad to report those folks didn't even get an offer of a free meal just a sorry tough luck.
The Casino owners are "Casinos Austria AG", which also has U.K. Casinos. Obviously, that is not the name on the Marquee in front of the casino. The so called journalist who wrote this lame-assed report is keeping the name of the Casino a secret.
How many people would even step in the door if they knew this criminally corrupt casino welshed on a bet? This story only serves to outline the media cover-up of the organized crime syndicate's criminal activity. Including the Judge, Jury, law enforcement, and their long list of victims. I recommend the community collapse this story because of mis-direction.
But, he did get only 4 or the 5 required matches. So really, he didn't make the necessary matches. I think the casino has the technical right to win this one.
I live in an area where there are 14 casinos in a 25-mile radius. The first one opened in 1992. There have been numerous identical situations - the machines indicate huge multi-million dollar "hits" but the casino says machine malfunction. And each one of them went in front of the "gambling commission" which ruled in favor of the casino.
In the first ten years it was common for gamblers to win decent payoffs, $10,000 to $25,000 on a regular basis, like 25 times a month published in the paper. And every 4 or 5 years someone would hit a mega jackpot of less than $10 million! But a huge amount leftover after taxes.
But as time has lapsed, there are seldom life-changing payouts. Mostly just a few thousand, usually $3,000 to $5,000 and never a million dollar payday. It used to fun, it was entertainment, spending a few dollars every 2 or 3 months, have free drinks, eat cheap meals. Now, it is horrible. No more free drinks, buffets are $19.95, and last year I went through $200 in less than 30 minutes playing slots.
Republican philosophy has taken over.
Clearly, The guy Didn't win...Nothing says that bells and lights and all makes you a winner...He got four out of five...NOT a jackpot...lol
Sounds like the casino customer service needs some work. Talk about bad press! A hundred bucks? Bet (yeah, play on words) they wish they'd have been a bit more generous. I played at Reno/Tahoe before computer chips and with REAL money! Much more fun.
Why is computer error the problem of the player? Computer error should be the problem of the concessionaire not the player. What a crock of @!$%#.
The software was programmed so that it showed an "error" if someone hit the jackpot so the casino would not have the pay it.. All an INSIDE JOB.
So how many losses are software glitches? I think they have to pay up and fix their systems.
If the machines pay ANYTHING out, even $1.00, it must be due to a SW error.
It should be obvious that any machine that displays a win has a software error. they are not programmed to alow a win.